Father John Corapi and the State of Due Process for Accused Priests [Catholic caucus]

Catholic Lane ^ | 6/17/11 | Ryan MacDonald

[Mary Kochan]

The Church must Herself be a mirror of justice. Cases like the one presented by Father John Corapi can, if true, cast a harsh light upon the state of justice and due process in the Church. An accusation, without evidence or corroboration, becomes enough to remove a priest from ministry indefinitely, and often forever.

[GladesGuru]

Religious leaders have constitutional guarantees?

Who knew?

/sarc off

[PGR88]

Obviously, we don’t know the details of this case, but I am disappointed Fr. Corapi would give up the priesthood so quickly.

Such greats trials are rarely resolved so quickly, but the truth WILL eventually be revealed.

[mockingbyrd]

What due process?

I know two priests accused of inappropriate behavior. The first one fired the parish administrator, because the guy was incompetant. The next week, the fired employee’s dauther accused the priest. Then, the priest who had supported the administrator was accused by the son of a family who wanted the administrator gone. I kid you not.

Everyone knew that the accustations were retalitory. We all knew the priests involved. They were both good men, who didn’t know much about running anything but did know about preaching and teaching. And we lost them both. Gone. That was it. No one ever talked to parishoners who were on the sidelines.

Then there was the priest who embezzeled from two parishes, but was allowed to get moved to a third, because he was buddys with the bishop. The parish employee who reported the theft.....fired.

I can see why Fr. Corapi wouldn’t put up with this farce. I don’t blame him.

[G Larry]

We had a dear local Priest falsely accused and it took 8 months to clear him.

30 year old charges and the times and places never added up, but the frail Priest was devastated and that level of anxiety has a very real affect on his health today.

There is more that you need to understand about the difficulties Fr. Corapi has overcome in his past. When you have those demons lurking over you it is difficult to maintain your sobriety under such constant stress.

[Salvation]

Many of us have known priest who were accused of wrong-doing personally. And in many cases, the priests were again reinstated to their former positions.

We all need to pray.

Some people don’t understand, because they have had no contact with someone falsely accused in this manner.

[Salvation]

 

Jesus. High Priest

 

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem.  He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

[Desdemona]

Many of us have known priest who were accused of wrong-doing personally. And in many cases, the priests were again reinstated to their former positions.

Yes, but not all. Nowadays, even the words "Administrative Leave" invite speculation. I have a friend who works in a parish where an employee was placed on Administrative Leave by the pastor and subsequently fired and it had something to do with verbal abuse in front of a group. Anyway, this happened right before the pastor went on retreat and the stories running through the parish were apparently pretty harsh and bore no resemblance to the truth. The worst of it was, the other teachers were under a gag order and couldn't set things right. The pastor came back to one massive mess, that's for sure.

[Salvation]

Are we overlooking a very bold fact here?

 

The Seal of Confession?

[lastchance]

I think he is giving up his public ministry not being a priest.

[Antoninus]

Uh, as much as Corapi would like to make this case about the bishops, the fact on the ground is that he only endured suspension for three stinkin' months before he assumed his Black SheepDog persona and went off the reservation.

These are the sorts of tests that God sends his faithful ones to test them. It pains me to say this, but unless a miracle happens, Corapi has failed the test. Miserably.

[Mary Kochan]

He is suspended. He has every reason to believe he is suspended for life, because that is what has happened to other priests. So what is he supposed to do?

[Antoninus]

He is suspended. He has every reason to believe he is suspended for life, because that is what has happened to other priests. So what is he supposed to do?

How about not give up his priesthood after only three months. That would be a good start.